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Kia Canada launches the new 2012 Soul

Popular urban passenger vehicle builds on successful formula with more
power and improved fuel economy, new technologies and updated styling

New engines and six-speed transmissions help Soul deliver enhanced
performance yet delivers fuel economy rating as low as 5.4 litres per
100 km on the highway

Award-winning Soul receives enhancements and new technologies such as
LED lighting, a new Infinity® audio system and UVO audio infotainment system

SEATTLE, Sept. 29, 2011 /CNW/ - The product that began Kia's design-led
transformation to the Kia line-up has been updated with a freshened
look, more power, and the same distinctive personality consumers have
come to love from the segment-leading compact crossover. Refined for
2012 with a significant number of technology and powertrain
enhancements, Kia's iconic urban passenger vehicle now delivers
increased horsepower and improved fuel efficiency as low as 7.0 L/100
km in the city and 5.4 L/100 km on the highway.

Since its debut in Spring 2009, Soul has enjoyed enviable popularity and
earned many prestigious awards, including: a 2009 "Top Safety Pick"
honours from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), being
named a Consumers Digest "Best Buy" for 2010, achieving a "Top
Recommended℠ Vehicle for 2011" by Edmunds.com, receiving the "Best Family Cars for
2010" designation by Edmunds.com and Parents Magazine, and being
recognized as "Best Hatchback of 2010" by Cars.com.

"The Soul is an important vehicle for Kia Canada. From its head-turning
design to its functional and inviting interior, the Soul has all the
key ingredients to experience success in our market" said Robert
Staffieri, Director of Marketing at Kia Canada Inc. "The latest Soul
enhances this offering with even greater levels of comfort, power, and
efficiency while preserving its cool factor."

The 2012 Soul delivers a healthy 164 horsepower (up 22 horsepower)
thanks to a new 2.0-liter engine and 138 horsepower (up 16 horsepower)
with a new 1.6-liter engine which features GDI technology. Both engines
are now available with new and efficient six-speed manual and automatic
transmissions. Later this model year, Soul will be the first among its
competitors to offer the fuel saving Idle Stop and Go (ISG) technology,
that temporarily turns off the engine when the vehicle is not in
motion, such as at a stop light or in traffic. The engine restarts
automatically when the driver releases the brake pedal, resulting in
lower levels of fuel consumption and emissions.

Fuel economy for the 1.6-liter comes in at a meagre 7.4 L/100 km in the
city and 5.6 L/100 km on the highway, while the 2.0-liter offers an
impressive 7.9 L/100 in the city and 5.8 L/100 km on the highway with
manual transmissions. For 2012, an Eco model will be offered in tandem
with the 1.6-litre engine and automatic transmission, which also
includes low-rolling-resistance tires. This model will appeal to
environmentally conscious consumers with ISG technology and an Active
Eco System for optimal fuel-efficient driving. Active Eco System is
also standard on every 2012 Soul equipped with the automatic
transmission. In addition to these features, ECO's engine uses
optimized internals to help achieve 7.0 L/100 km in the city and 5.4
L/100 km on the highway.

The Soul's exterior design has been updated with changes to front and
rear fascia to project a wider stance, while new headlamps, taillights,
side mirrors and wheels project a contemporary look. In addition to the
exterior, all Soul models receive redesigned and upgraded interiors,
which yield better noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) reduction
qualities, a more refined ride and many new standard features,
including a tilt and telescoping steering column, Vehicle Stability
Management (VSM) and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC).

As the name suggests, the 4U Retro offers a touch of nostalgia with its
two-tone beige/black tartan interior trim but also adds contemporary
touches such as auto-dimming rear view mirror and solar glass.

The Soul 4U Burner trim is easily distinguishable from the other models
with exclusive projection headlamps with front LED daytime running
lights and LED taillights and a rear spoiler.

The 4U Luxury model pampers its occupants with features that include
leather seat trim, automatic climate control, navigation system, and
push-button start with smart key.

Not only does the Soul have a striking design, it also offers appealing
features such as UVO powered by Microsoft®3 voice-activated infotainment system with a 4.3-inch color touch screen
and rear camera display matched to an all-new eight-speaker Infinity
audio system that enhances the sound with a center speaker, subwoofer,
external amplifier and speaker lights in a rainbow of colors that pulse
to the beat of the music or add mood lighting.

Soul's interior design is decidedly influenced by the car's highly
specified audio system. An uncluttered dashboard with a three-pod
instrument cluster, LCD illumination and floating center stack design
is the key visual feature and offers instant access to the AM/FM/CD/MP3
audio system available with Satellite Radio and three months
complimentary service. Standard USB and auxiliary input jacks also can
be found in the centre console with full iPod® and MP3 controllability via the audio head unit and steering
wheel-mounted controls.

Soul is different, right down to its platform. With its own
distinguished style, Soul features front-wheel drive, a high roofline
and a wide, distinctive stance. Built with a wheelbase of 2,550 mm, an
overall length of 4,120 mm, an overall width of 1,785 mm and overall
height of 1,660 mm, the Soul offers a comfortable interior with roomy
seating for up to five passengers. Constructed with
high-tensile-strength steel to enhance structural strength without
adding a lot of weight, the Kia-engineered body achieves high torsional
stiffness, benefiting handling, ride quality and refinement.

Soul features an independent, front suspension system with MacPherson
struts, coil springs, rear mono-tube gas shock absorbers and stabilizer
bar designed to maximize the friction between the tires and the road,
providing steering stability with responsive handling to offer
passengers optimal comfort. At the rear, Soul's suspension is a
transverse torsion beam axle with trailing arms, coil springs and
mono-tube shock absorbers for a smooth ride and minimum intrusion into
the cargo space. A sport-tuned suspension is standard on 4U trims.

All Soul models continue to offer the same high level of standard safety
equipment as in previous years, offering a comprehensive list of safety
features, including front seat active headrests, dual front advanced
airbags, and front seat-mounted and full-length side curtain airbags14. An Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC),
Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD),
Brake Assist System (BAS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and Vehicle
Stability Management (VSM) also are standard, as are front and rear
crumple zones, side-impact door beams and Lower Anchors and Tethers for
Children (LATCH).

Kia has undergone a dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been
delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important segments
contributing to the brand's continued gains in Canadian market share.
Kia is poised to continue its momentum and brand growth through design
innovation, quality, value, safety features and new technology.

The 2012 Kia Soul is now available in Canadian showrooms.

Like all Kia models in Canada, the 2012 Soul is covered by a
comprehensive warranty program, which offers unprecedented consumer
protection. Included in this program are a five-year or 100,000-km
limited powertrain warranty, a five-year or 100,000-km limited
comprehensive warranty, and a five-year unlimited-km anti-perforation
warranty. A five-year/100,000-km roadside assistance plan is also part
of the comprehensive coverage program.

Kia Canada Inc. (www.kia.ca - www.facebook.com/kiacanada) -- a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart -- is a
subsidiary of Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) in Korea was founded in 1999
and sells and services high quality class leading vehicles like the
Soul, Forte and Sorento through a network of 172 dealers nationwide.
Kia Canada Inc. employs 141 people in its Mississauga, Ontario
headquarters and four regional offices across Canada. Kia Motors
Corporation continues to showcase the company's global commitment to
surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive
innovation.